The role of Physiotherapy in Womens Health22 Oct 2016

Many women suffer in silence and are unaware of how physiotherapy cam help in the prevention, treatment and recovery of many womens health conditions. Women’s Health Physiotherapy mainly relates to the therapeutic treatment of all pelvis (including the bladder and urinary tract) and pelvic floor dysfunctions.

Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a complex structure composed of a group of muscles that support the pelvic organs and form the uterine canal and a passage for urine and faeces. These muscles need to contract efficiently in order to keep a woman continent, but they also need to relax to allow for the passage of urine and bowel movements, for natural birth and for sexual relations.

Problems with the pelvic floor may arise when its muscles are either very weak (hypotonia) or very tense (hypertonia).

Symptoms of Hypotonia in the Pelvic Floor

urinary or faecal incontinence

urinary or faecal emergency

prolapse, or displacement, of the pelvic organs

These symptoms are NOT a natural result of ageing and various reasons exist for why these muscles may weaken.

Studies show that a well-structured exercise plan to strengthen pelvic floor muscles is effective in reversing symptoms in 80% of women.

Symptoms of Hypertonia in the Pelvic Floor

frequent urination

urinary or faecal emergency

incomplete or painful evacuation of the bladder

obstipation (severe constipation) or pain during bowel movements

pains in the lumbar, pelvic or genital region

pain during sex

hypertonia may also contribute towards Interstitial Cystitis, Vulvodynia and pain in the pudendal nerve, which runs from the pelvis to the spine

There are various reasons as to why hypertonia may affect pelvic floor muscles. Among them may be trauma sustained by the pelvic floor or organs in the pelvic area (in the case of natural birth), a gynaecological intervention or exam, non-resolved lumbar or hip pain, or complications after an infection.
If these muscles have lost their tone, it may be difficult to initiate or maintain contractions of the pelvic floor area. It is therefore important to completely relax these muscles and alleviate any tension before attempting to treat the muscle weakness.

Physiotherapy during Pregnancy

Lumbar and pelvic girdle pain, as well as stress urinary incontinence, are all common symptoms in pregnant women. These mostly occur due to hormonal changes and increase in weight of the baby and uterus. Urinary incontinence during pregnancy should not be ignored. Studies show that if a woman develops stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy, or within 6 weeks after giving birth, she will be more likely to suffer from incontinence 5 years later. A check-up at a Women’s Health Physiotherapist may prevent this from happening. Making sure that you perform pelvic floor exercises correctly and regularly is important for keeping the pelvic floor strong both during and after pregnancy.

Postnatal Physiotherapy

The first few weeks immediately after giving birth are extremely important with regards to your body. Your body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and will continue to do so after giving birth. It is important to treat any symptom that may arise during this time in order to prevent problems later.

An exam of the pelvic floor is important to establish the cause of these symptoms. A Women’s Health Physiotherapist can examine you from 6 weeks after normal birth or from 8 weeks in the case of a caesarean section, providing advice on taking up exercising again and on the recovery of separated abdominal muscles (Diastasis recti).

From incontinence to prolapse, to pelvic pain or obstipation, there is growing proof that Women’s Health Physiotherapy can provide relief and, in many cases, cure these symptoms. The majority of women are unaware of the role of physiotherapy in this field and many feel embarrassed to speak openly about these symptoms.

Our dedicated Womens Health Physiotherapist Clare has a wealth of experience in this area and would love to help you.